Reject the Politics of Fear. Defend Migrant Rights.

Migrante Canada Statement | June 30, 2025

As migrant justice advocates, we strongly oppose Bill C-2 (2025), misleadingly named the Strong Borders Act. Under the guise of public safety, this bill dangerously expands state powers to surveil, detain, and deport migrants and asylum seekers, while eroding fundamental privacy rights and access to due process for all people in Canada.

At its core, Bill C-2 is not about genuine border security—it is about weaponizing migration policy to score political points, scapegoat migrants, and undermine Canada’s international obligations to protect refugees and uphold human rights.

Key concerns:

(1) Attack on refugee rights:

Bill C-2 would allow the government to summarily reject refugee claims and deny proper hearings, in violation of Canada’s obligations under the UN Refugee Convention. It targets vulnerable people—many fleeing persecution or violence—simply because of where they entered Canada or how long they have been here.

(2) Expansion of deportation powers:

The bill grants the government sweeping authority to suspend or cancel permanent residency, work permits, or study permits in the name of “public interest,” without clear definitions or judicial oversight. This creates a climate of fear and insecurity among migrant communities, increasing the risk of arbitrary removals.

(3) Massive surveillance overreach:

Bill C-2 introduces warrantless access to personal data from banks, employers, healthcare providers, and telecom companies. Such unchecked surveillance undermines civil liberties for everyone in Canada and disproportionately targets racialized and marginalized communities.

(4) Normalization of exclusionary politics:

By conflating migration with crime and national security, this bill fuels xenophobia, racial profiling, and division. It reinforces harmful narratives that migrants are threats rather than community members who contribute to the social, cultural, and economic fabric of this country.

We reject Bill C-2 in its entirety.

True border security is not built on fear, surveillance, or deportation. A just and humane society upholds the dignity and rights of all people, regardless of immigration status. Canada must honour its international human rights obligations, expand regularization pathways, and create policies that protect—not punish—migrants and refugees.

We call on Parliament to immediately withdraw Bill C-2 and engage in meaningful consultation with migrant communities, civil liberties groups, Indigenous nations, labour organizations, and all impacted communities.

For reference:

Chris Sorio, Secretary-General, Migrante Canada

migrantecanada@gmail.com